Endophyte of a tall fescue variety having rhizomes

ABSTRACT

A tall fescue variety known as breeder&#39;s code Bar Fa 08PB and seed used to produce the grass are provided. Methods of using the grass plant and the seed are also provided. This grass is suitable for use in turf (lawns, pastures, golf courses, sod, and other areas where excellent turf quality is desired) and forage pastures.

FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to a tall fescue grass having rhizomesthat has a superior turf quality compared to other known tall fescueswith rhizomes. One embodiment of this grass is known as breeder's codeBar Fa 08PB.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a short- to mediumheight, cool-season, perennial grass used extensively for pasture, hay,and turf, that has smooth, soft, bright green leaves with arrow-shapedtips. Tall fescue is an excellent low-maintenance turfgrass, due to itsability to tolerate drought and shade (See Tall Fescue, Edited byBuckner and Bush, Published by the American Society of Agronomy, CropScience Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. ASAMonograph Number 20. 1979. ISBN 0-89118-057-5). However, tall fescue hasa limited use in areas which experience extreme high or lowtemperatures, such as the Southeastern United States. In addition, amajor problem with tall fescue it its slow recovery from injury (such asovergrazing and over-mowing) and its tendency to become clump if notoverseeded.

[0003] Rhizomes are underground stems that allow grasses to spread andform a close-knit sod that regrows after injury. Rhizomes benefit plantsby storing carbohydrates, which increases heat and wear resistance ofthe plant, and allows the plant to spread and compete better in a sward.Rhizomes also provide growing points under the surface of the soil,where they are better protected from temperature, prolonged drought, andovergrazing. Therefore, it is desirable to increase rhizome productionin tall fescue to promote persistence under conditions of stress, suchas extremes in temperature. This may allow tall fescue plants toperennate in areas now considered marginal for its adaptation and use.

[0004] Although others rhizomatous tall fescue plants have beendescribed, the tall fescues described have not been ideal. Genotypicvariability for rhizome production has been documented, and no genotypex location interaction was reported for the trait. For example, DeBattista and Bouton (Crop Science, 30:536-540, 1990) describe a tallfescue which took at least seven months of growth before rhizomeexpression occurred under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, there wasno correlation between the top rhizome producers in the greenhouse tothe top rhizome producers in the field. Studies by Bouton et al. (AgronJ. 81:220-23, 1989) demonstrated that bermudagrass competition depressedrhizome production, but that even the most rhizomatous genotype 83-29produced only 0.2 to 0.4 rhizomes per tiller, and the plants onlyspreading up to 0.3 m per year (Cowan Adv. Agron. 8:293-320, 1956).

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to identify a tall fescue havingrhizomes which can grow in subtropical climates and the southern portionof the transition zone, recover quickly from injury, and reproduciblyproduce high-quality turf.

SUMMARY

[0006] Herein disclosed is a tall fescue variety known as breeder's codeBar Fa 08PB that is different from all known varieties of tall fescueplants. In one embodiment, mature Bar Fa 08PB plants reach a height fromabout 90 cm to about 135.5 cm tall, produce about 1 to about 10 rhizomesper plant, which are from about 1 cm to about 33 cm in length, have ahigh rust-resistance tolerance, and/or have a high turf quality ratingwhen the plants are about one year in age. In another embodiment, Bar Fa08PB plants tolerate mowing better than other tall fescues havingrhizomes, such as Torpedo (variety).

[0007] At least 2500 seeds of Bar Fa 08PB were deposited with TheAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA; ATCC Deposit No.PTA-3825) on Nov. 5, 2001 under the Budapest Treaty. These seeds will beirrevocably and without restriction released to the public upon theissuance of a patent. Therefore, these seeds are known and readilyavailable to the public. In one embodiment, the disclosure providesgrass seed deposited as ATCC No: PTA-3825.

[0008] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides tall fescue plantshaving the morphological and physiological characteristics of Bar Fa08PB. Also disclosed are seeds of such plants, progeny of such plants,and vegetative sprigs or clones of such plants. In another embodiment,the disclosure provides grass plants having the genotype of Bar Fa 08PB.

[0009] The disclosure also encompasses tall fescue plants that areproduced by crossing Bar Fa 08PB with other grass varieties. Alsodisclosed are seeds resulting from such a cross, grass plants grown fromsuch seeds, and vegetative sprigs or clones from such a cross. In oneembodiment, the seeds resulting from the cross are part of a seedmixture.

[0010] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method ofproducing grass seed, including planting seed from Bar Fa 08PB underconditions that result in the germination of the seed, growth of grassplants and setting of progeny seed, and then harvesting the progenyseed. Also disclosed is grass seed produced by this method, as well asgrass seed mixtures including such grass seed.

[0011] Also disclosed is a method of producing a grass plant whichincludes crossing a grass plant produced from Bar Fa 08PB with at leastone other grass plant to produce at least one seed, harvesting the seed,and germinating the seed to produce at least one progeny grass plant.Included in the disclosure are grass plants produced using this method,as well as a vegetative sprig or clone of the grass plant.

[0012] The grass plants disclosed herein can be planted in a variety ofareas, for example in areas where turf is desired. Examples include, butare not limited to: golf courses, for example golf course fairways androughs; lawns; athletic fields, such as football fields, baseballfields, soccer fields, lacrosse fields, and tennis courts; parks; andpastures, such as areas for animal grazing. In one embodiment, the grassplants disclosed herein are used for erosion control, such as in grasswaterways. In another embodiment, the grass plants disclosed herein areadapted to low mowing.

[0013] The disclosure also includes sod or animal feed, such as hay,which includes the grass plants disclosed herein. The sod can be plantedin any area where grass plants are desired, such as the areas listedabove.

[0014] In one embodiment, the grass plants disclosed herein include oneor more transgenes.

[0015] Endophytes associated with the disclosed grass plants and seedsare disclosed. In one example, endophytes produce one or more alkaloids,such as lolitrem B and/or ergovaline at levels not toxic to livestock.In particular examples, endophytes produce less than about 300 ppbergovaline, such as less than about 100 ppb, 80 ppb, or 60 ppb, such asabout 55 ppb of ergovaline. Alternatively or in addition, endophytesproduce less than 1800 ppb of lolitrem B, such as less than about 1000ppb, 750 ppb, 500 ppb, 300 ppb, 200 ppb or 100 ppb of lolitrem B.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of thenew tall fescue variety described herein will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description of several embodiments, whichproceeds with reference to the accompanying figure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0017]FIG. 1 is a digital image of an exemplary Bar Fa 08PB showing thelength of rhizomes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLE 1 Origin andBreeding History of Tall Fescue Variety Bar Fa 08PB

[0018] The Bar Fa 08PB (Festuca arundinacea) variety was developed byBarenbrug U.S.A., Inc. at the Barenbrug Research Station in Mas Grenier,France. This variety was developed for its rhizomatous phenotype, andits ability to produce high-quality turf. This variety, because of itsrhizomatous spreading, is useful for growing tall fescue sod for turf.

[0019] The breeding program was designed to breed and select for a tallfescue cultivar adapted to marginal lawn conditions in subtropicalclimates and the southern portion of the transition zone. Such tallfescue plants should mix better with warm season lawn species andgrowing sod where Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is not adapted.The rhizome trait in tall fescue should impart better persistence andcompetitive ability in area marginal for its adaptation or in mixedswards (Bouton et al., Agron J 81:220-23, 1989).

[0020] The selection of Bar Fa 08PB began during a collection trip in1993 of ecotypes of rhizomatous tall fescue found in Northwest Portugalwhich were randomly pollinated the same year with a genepool of Americanand European tall fescue selections. To increase the success in thiscrossing, flowers of the grass were inspected daily, and the pollen ofthe father-lines was moved to the flowers of the mother-lines at theappropriate time.

[0021] The F1 of 26 plants were planted in Mas grenier, France. Fromthese 26 plants, 24 harvested F2 isolations were obtained in 1994. Dueto the very low seed set, only a small turf trial was realized in MasGrenier in 1995, and only four lines showed promising turf performance.The original plants from this collection were also planted in a turftrial, but none survived.

[0022] After planting the four lines which demonstrated promising turfperformance in isolation, one line did not show enough aggressivenessand another yielded too little seed. The remaining two lines werecrossed and harvested as Bar Fa 08PB in 1998. This seed was used toharvest nucleus seed in 1999, which delivered the breeder seed of ATCCPTA-3825. This new harvest yielded better then the former F2. Bar Fa08PB has been tested and compared to other tall fescues, such as thecreeping cultivar Torpedo, in a variety of trial fields in France, Italyand the USA (North Carolina) as described below.

[0023] Seed propagation is limited to three generations of increase frombreeder seed: one each of foundation, registered and certified. Breederseed is maintained at Barenbrug, U.S.A, Inc., in Oregon. Bar Fa 08PB isa stable and uniform variety. No off-types or variants have beenobserved in the reproduction or multiplication of this variety from thebreeder seed nursery to the foundation field.

EXAMPLE 2 Seed Deposits

[0024] Seeds of the tall fescue variety Bar Fa 08PB were deposited withthe ATCC (Manassas, Va.) under the Budapest Treaty on Nov. 5, 2001 underaccession number PTA-3825. The variety is also maintained at, andavailable from, Barenbrug U.S.A., Inc., P.O. Box 239, Tangent, Oreg.97389.

EXAMPLE 3 Seedling Vigor and Turf Quality

[0025] The following growth characteristics were observed for Bar Fa08PB plants that were approximately one or two years old, grown inseeded turf plots in Mas Grenier, France (Table 1), Vicenza, Italy(Table 2), or the Sandhills Research Station at the North Carolina StateUniversity (NCSU), North Carolina, USA (Table 3). Variations on thesemeasurements, or any other measurement disclosed herein, may be observedfor plants of differing ages, grown in other locations, grown underdifferent prevailing weather conditions (for example variations inrainfall, temperature, and/or photoperiod), grown at different times ofthe year, mowing conditions, and/or grown in different soil.

[0026] Tall fescue seeds were sown in September 1999 at a seed quantityof 150 kg/ha, over three plots, each 0.75 square meters, in Mas Grenier,France. Rebel II (variety) seeds were obtained from ABT, USA. Torpedo(variety) seeds were obtained from Agriseeds, New Zealand.

[0027] The information provided in Table 1 relating to seedling vigor,snow mold resistance, persistence and turf quality (TQ) ratings(seasonal density, genetic color, and leaf texture) is derived fromvarious turf trials. These data are expressed in numbers ranging from1-9, with 1 representing low vigor, low snow mold resistance (diseased),low ground cover, or low TQ, and 9 representing desirable vigor, highmold resistance (no disease), high ground cover, and high turf quality.TABLE 1 Growth Characteristics in Mas Grenier, France* Avg. Aver- GroundSnow Mold Ground Winter Summer age Variety Cover^(a) resistance ^(a)Cover^(b) TQ^(c) TQ^(d) TQ^(e) Rebel II 7.7 8 7.7 4.7 5.7 5.1 Bar Fa08PB 8 5.7 4.8 4.7 4.3 4.3 Torpedo 6.3 6.3 1.8 1.3 1.3 1.2cv.(variet)^($) 2.9 4.9 9.8 16.8 5.3 4.9 LSD (.05)^(#) 0.7 1.1 1.8 2.30.7 0.6 Avg or 100^(!) 7.3 6.5 5.2 3.9 4.1 3.7

[0028] A similar study was conducted in Vicenza, Italy as follows. Tallfescue seeds were sown in September 1999 at a seed quantity of 160kg/ha, over two plots, each 1 square meter. Southern Choice (variety)seeds were obtained from Southern States, USA. Bonsai (variety) seedswere obtained from TMI, USA. Plantation (variety) seeds were obtainedfrom Pennington Seed Company, USA. Barlexas II (variety) seeds wereobtained from Barenbrug USA. Torpedo (variety) seeds were obtained fromAgriseeds, New Zealand.

[0029] The information provided in Table 2 relating to establishment andTQ ratings (seasonal density, genetic color, and leaf texture) isderived from turf trials in Vicenza, Italy. These data are expressed innumbers ranging from 1-9, with 1 representing low establishment or lowTQ, and 9 representing high establishment and high turf quality.Establishment is the combination of seedling vigor and rapidity ofgroundcover in the first three months after planting. Statisticalanalysis was performed as described above in Table 1. TABLE 2 GrowthCharacteristics in Vicenza, Italy* Variety Average Establishment^(a)Summer TQ^(b) Average TQ^(c) Southern Choice 6.8 6 7 Bonsai 6.3 5.5 6.9Plantation 6.5 6 6.8 Barlexas II 6.8 5.5 6.8 Bar Fa 08PB 6.8 5 5.8Torpedo 6.5 3.5 4.8 c.v. =. 7 10.5 4.4 LSD (0.05) = 1.3 1.7 .8 Avg. or100 = 6 5.2 6.2

[0030] A similar study was conducted at the Sandhills Research Stationat NCSU, as follows. Tall fescue seeds were sown in the fall of 1999 ata seed quantity of 250 kg/ha, over three plots, each 1 square meter.Millenium (variety) seeds were obtained from TMI, USA, and Barlexas II(variety) seeds obtained from Barenbrug USA. The information provided inTable 3 relating to TQ ratings (seasonal density, genetic color, andleaf texture), winter color, density, and brown patch tolerance (thatis, tolerance to Rhizoctonia solani, for example see Tani and Beard,Color Atlas of Turfgrass diseases, ISBN 1-57504-021-2), is derived fromturf trials at the Sandhills Research Station at NCSU. These data areexpressed in numbers ranging from 1-9, with 1 representing low TQ, poorwinter color, low density, and low tolerance to brown patch (diseased),and 9 representing good winter color, high density, high brown patchtolerance (no disease) and high turf quality. Statistical analysis wasperformed as described above in Table 1. TABLE 3 Growth Characteristicsat the Sandhills Research Station at NCSU* Brown Patch Variety AverageTQ^(a) Winter Color^(b) Density^(c) Tolerance^(d) Millenium 6 4.7 8.78.7 Barlexas II 5.1 4 9 9 Bar Fa 08PB 4.7 5.3 7.7 7.7 c.v. =. 5.8 5.18.8 4.6 LSD (0.05) = 1.2 0.9 1.8 1.5 Avg. or 100 = 5.3 4.7 5.1 8.4

[0031] Therefore, as shown in Tables 1-2, the Bar Fa 08PB variety has asuperior turf quality to other known tall fescues, including tallfescues known to have rhizomes such as Torpedo. Table 3 shows that theBar Fa 08PB variety has a similar turf quality as other tall fescueswhich do not have rhizomes.

EXAMPLE 4 Morphological and Rhizome Characteristics

[0032] Field trials were conduced to compare morphological and rhizomecharacteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB variety to currently used tall fescuegrass varieties.

[0033] Seeds from nine different tall fescue varieties were sown ingreenhouse potting medium in October 2000. After germination, theseedlings were transplanted into plug trays in November 2000. Seedlingswere grown in the greenhouse until the plugs were filled with roots. Atthat time, December 2000, the plug seedlings were transplanted in afield nursery near Albany, Oreg. The seedlings were transplanted twofeet apart. Sixty seedlings from each variety were grown in this fieldnursery. The field nursery was maintained with crop management practicesused for grass seed production systems in the region. In mid July 2001,the following morphological characteristics were measured: (1) plantheight; one measurement per plant; (2) flag leaf height (the flag leafis the highest leaf on a grass stem); three measurements per plant ondifferent tillers; (3) flag leaf blade length; three measurements perplant on different tillers; (4) flag leaf blade width; threemeasurements per plant on different tillers; (5) panicle length; threemeasurements per plant on different tillers; (6) tiller leaf width; onemeasurement per plant; (7) tiller leaf length; one measurement perplant; (8) first internode length; one measurement per plant; (9)peduncle length; one measurement per plant; (10) panicle height; onemeasurement per plant; (11) rust tolerance: one visual observation perplant.

[0034] The trial consisted of commercially available cultivars and theBar Fa 08PB variety. All seeds listed in Tables 4-9, except Bar Fa 08PBand Torpedo, were obtained from Regional Plant Introduction Station,Washington State University, United States Department of Agriculture,Agricultural Research Service, 59 Johnson Hall, P.O. Box 646402,Pullman, Wash., USA 99164-6402.

[0035] Tables 4-6 show comparisons of several morphologicalcharacteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB variety with other tall fescuevarieties. Statistical analysis was performed as described above. Meansfollowed by same letter do not significantly differ. TABLE 4Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. Character Rated Rating DataType Flag Leaf Leaf Blade Leaf Blade Rating Unit Height Length WidthVariety cm cm mm Bonsai 24.97 e  6.51 d 5.31 b Bonanza 42.26 bc 12.34 a7.1 a Bar Fa 08PB 46.5 b 11.1 abc 6.4 a Kentucky 31 Endo+ 61.22 a 12.16ab 6.81 a Rebel II 40.77 bc 11.7 abc 6.62 a Rebel Jr 28.57 e  9.71 c6.05 ab Shortstop 37.32 cd 10.41 abc 6.51 a Silverado 32.13 de 10.08 bc6.67 a Torpedo 40.87 bc 12.12 ab 6.06 ab LSD (0.05)  6.973  1.881 0.942Standard Deviation  4.028  1.087 0.544 CV 10.22 10.18 8.51

[0036] TABLE 5 Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. CharacterRated Rating Data Type Panicle Heading* Rating Unit Length Day Varietycm (Julian date) Bonsai 13.19 f 145.7 bc Bonanza 22.47 bc 150.2 a Bar Fa08PB 26.26 a 146.6 ab Kentucky 31 Endo+ 23.96 ab 142.8 bc Rebel II 20.23ca 142 c Rebel Jr 17.09 e 144.5 bc Shortstop 19.85 d 145 bc Silverado17.88 de 144.1 bc Torpedo 25.43 a 144.3 bc LSD (0.05)  2.482  3.79Standard Deviation  1.434  2.19 CV  6.92  1.51

[0037] TABLE 6 Morphological Measurements of Tall Fescues. CharacterRated Tiller* Tiller First Internode Peduncle Panicle Rating Data TypeLeaf Width Leaf Length Length Length Height Rating Unit Variety mm cm cmcm cm Bonsai  6.54 e  9.91 e 12.07 d 42.13 cd 57.13 d Bonanza 10.12 a19.55 ab 19.01 ab 55.23 ab 72.54 bc Bar Fa 08PB  7.93 cd 17.05 c 16.42bc 44.54 bcd 73.45 bc Kentucky 31 Endo+ 10.42 a 20.26 a 22.77 a 57.51 a101.9 a Rebel II  9.31 b 17.68 bc 16.81 bc 51.88 abc 77.45 b Rebel Jr 7.78 d 14.4 d 11.27 d 39.37 d 57.65 d Shortstop  8.57 c 16.55 cd 16.52bc 49.68 a-d 72.87 bc Silverado  7.93 cd 14.21 d 12.92 cd 43.65 bcd67.56 c Torpedo  7.76 d 18.81 abc 16.63 bc 47.45 a-d 71.39 bc LSD (0.05) 0.697  2.31  4.05 10.586 8.833 Standard Deviation  0.403  1.335  2.34 6.115 5.103 CV  4.75  8.09 14.58 12.76  7.04

[0038] In mid September 2001, after the seed heads were harvested andabove ground foliage was mowed, the amount of rhizome production perplant was measured. Any shoot cluster emerging from the soil and apartfrom the main plant was counted as one rhizome. The total number ofrhizomes per plant was counted. This data was also used to calculatepercentage of plants with rhizomes. The distance from edge of the mainplant to edge of the rhizome cluster was measured, and the number ofshoots in each rhizome cluster counted.

[0039] Table 7 shows comparisons of several rhizome characteristics ofBar Fa 08PB with other tall fescue varieties. Statistical analysis wasperformed as described above. Means followed by same letter do notsignificantly differ. TABLE 7 Rhizome Characteristics of Tall Fescues.Character Rated Rhizome Rhizome Rhizome Shoots Rhizome Rating Data TypeCount Percent Shoots Per rhizome Length Rating Unit Variety % per plantcm Bonsai  0.1 d 12 e  1 c  1 c  3 f Bonanza  1.2 b 66 b  3 c  2 bc  5cde Bar Fa  2.7 a 88 a 11 b  3 b 11 b 08PB Kentucky  0.9 bc 51 bc  4 c 2 bc  7 c 31 Endo+ Rebel II  0.6 cd 40 cd  3 c  2 bc  4 def Rebel Jr 0.6 cd 42 cd  2 c  1 c  4 ef Shortstop  0.4 cd 23 de  3 c  2 bc  6 cdSilverado  0.5 cd 34 cde  2 c  3 bc  4 ef Torpedo  3.1 a 93 a 15 a  5 a15 a LSD  0.48 21  3.7  1.4  1.9 (0.05) Standard  0.28 12.1  2.1  0.8 1.1 Deviation CV 24.8 24.33 42.53 34.04 16.71

[0040] Table 8 is a summary of morphological and rhizomecharacteristics, which the range of values observed shown inparenthesis, of Bar Fa 08PB with other tall fescue varieties.Statistical analysis was performed as described above. TABLE 8 Range forMeasurements of Tall Fescues. Character Rated Rating Data Type PlantRhizome Rhizome Rating Unit Height Count Length Variety cm (range)number cm Bonsai  68.06 (12-100.6) 0.1 (0-2)  2.7 (1-4) Bonanza  86.92(11.6-129.3) 1.2 (0-5)  5.3 (1-13) Bar Fa 08PB  99.66 (27.9-135.3) 2.7(0-10)   11 (1-33) Kentucky 31 126.69 (49.2-163.4) 0.9 (0-6)  6.7 (2-28)Endo+ Rebel II  97.53 (30.7-131) 0.6 (0-5)  4.3 (1-14) Rebel Jr  73.82(45.4-114.2) 0.6 (0-4)   4 (2-9) Shortstop  91.22 (29.8-135.4) 0.4 (0-5) 6.1 (1-13) Silverado  83.9 (7-114.5) 0.5 (0-3)  4.6 (2-10) Torpedo101.23 (46.4-134.5) 3.1 (0-12) 14.7 (1-48) LSD (0.05)  6.764  0.5  2.76Standard 18.903  1.39  7.64 Deviation CV 20.52 123.58 115.82

EXAMPLE 5 Resistance to Rust

[0041] The susceptibility of tall fescue to rust (Stem rust, Pucciniagrammis) was measured as follows. Seeds were grown as described inEXAMPLE 4. Thirty-two weeks after seeding, symptoms of a rust disease(which occurred naturally) were visible. Initial symptoms were visibledamage of leaves by rust spores. There were also brown stripes visibleon the leaves.

[0042] As shown in Table 9, significant difference in rustsusceptibility existed among tall fescue entries, with the Bar Fa 08PBvariety having a mean disease rating of 8.6 and Silverado having adisease rating of 4.5 (9=no visible symptoms; rating is the mean ofthree replicates). Means followed by same letter do not significantlydiffer (P=0.05, Duncan's New MRT). TABLE 9 Tall fesuce tolerance toRust. Variety Rust tolerance Bonsai 6.5 bc Bonanza 5.4 d Bar Fa 08PB 8.6a Kentucky 31 Endo+ 6.5 b Rebel II 5.8 bcd Rebel Jr 6.4 bc Shortstop 5.8cd Silverado 4.5 e Torpedo 8.5 a LSD (0.05) 0.65 Standard Deviation 0.37CV 5.78

EXAMPLE 6 Endophyte Characterization

[0043] Grass samples have the potential to contain endophytic fungusesthat produce alkaloids. Of the alkaloids produced, lolitrem B andergovaline can cause animal health problems at certain concentrations.Therefore, Bar Fa 08PB grass samples and seed were analyzed for thepresence of endophytes, specifically, for the presence of ergovaline andlolitrem B, using chromatogram analysis. Experimentation was performedby the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

[0044] To detect lolitrem B and ergovaline alkaloids, fluorometric HPLCassays were conducted. Fescue straw was analyzed as a control. The grassplants were found to have about 55 ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb oflolitrem B. The seeds had about 183 ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb oflolitrem B.

[0045] Toxicosis due to ergovaline is induced in livestock at thefollowing concentrations: horses, 300-500 ppb; cattle, 400-750 ppb; andsheep, 88-1200+ ppb. Toxicosis due to lolitrem B can be seen inlivestock at about 1800-2000 ppb. Since Bar Fa 08PB plants only haveabout 55 ppb of ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B, and the seedsonly 183 ppb ergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B, Bar Fa 08PB grassplants and seeds are not expected to be toxic to livestock.

[0046] This data indicates that Bar Fa 08PB is safe for livestock.Therefore, Bar Fa 08PB straw and grass plants can be used in pasturesfor grazing, and to make hay to feed to livestock.

EXAMPLE 7 Production of Bar Fa 08PB Grasses

[0047] Bar Fa 08PB can be grown under normal conditions for growing turfgrasses, and bulk seed for large-scale planting can be obtained bymethods known in certified seed production. For example, bulk seed maybe produced by planting Bar Fa 08PB seeds obtained from either ATCC(Accession No: PTA-3825) or Barenbrug USA, Inc., allowing the matureplants to produce seed by cross-pollination with each other and thencollecting the seed. Standard precautions should be taken to preventcross-pollination from other grasses, such as growing the variety in anisolated plot of sterilized soil, removing adjacent vegetation, etc. TheBar Fa 08PB seeds deposited with ATCC are breeder seeds; propagation ofplants from these seeds can be performed under standard conditions knownto those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLE 8 Exemplary Uses of Bar Fa 08PB

[0048] Bar Fa 08PB can be used in the same way as other tall fescuevarieties. However, the high-turf quality and rhizome production affordsBar Fa 08PB particular advantages over other varieties. For example, theuse of current commercially available varieties of tall fescue grassesare limited to areas which do not experience extreme high or lowtemperatures, such as the Southeastern United States. However, Bar Fa08PB which produces a high-quality turf in subtropical climates and inthe southern portion of the transition zone, can be used in such areas.Thus, Bar Fa 08PB is especially marketable and therefore useful.

EXAMPLE 9 Introducing Traits of Bar Fa 08PB Into Other Grass Varieties

[0049] The morphological and physiological characteristics of Bar Fa08PB, including the ability to produce a high-quality turf, can beintroduced into other grass varieties by conventional breedingtechniques. For example, Bar Fa 08PB can be grown in pollinationproximity to another variety of tall fescue grass, allowingcross-pollination to occur between Bar Fa 08PB and the other variety,and then harvesting the hybrid seeds. Plants grown from these hybridseeds can then be tested for the maintenance of the molecularcharacteristics described above for Bar Fa 08PB , and/or the plants cansimply be observed to see if they display the same growthcharacteristics described in the above tables.

[0050] For example, plants grown from these hybrid seeds can be testedfor any of the morphological characteristics described herein, and/orfor the production of a high-quality turf. In this way, the high numberof rhizomes and high quality turf characteristics may be combined withother desirable plant characteristics. Thus, the provision of Bar Fa08PB enables the production of progeny plants of Bar Fa 08PB having therhizome and high quality turf characteristics. “Progeny plants” of BarFa 08PB are any plants that are the offspring of a cross between Bar Fa08PB and any other plant or plants. Progeny plants also includesuccessive generations of the offspring, for example those selected forhigh-quality turf production using the methods described herein.First-generation progeny plants may retain the high-quality turfproduction and rhizome characteristics of the Bar Fa 08PB parent.However, if a first-generation progeny plant does not retain the desiredlevel of turf production and rhizomes observed with Bar Fa 08PB,subsequent generations of offspring can be recycled for turf productionand rhizomes which have at least the same turf production and rhizomecharacteristics of Bar Fa 08PB described herein. In one embodiment,subsequent generations of offspring can have a turf quality that exceedsthat of Bar Fa 08PB, and/or have more rhizomes than Bar Fa 08PB.

[0051] In addition, Bar Fa 08PB can be used as transformation targetsfor the production of transgenic grasses. In certain embodiments, thepresent disclosure contemplates the transformation of cells derived fromBar Fa 08PB with at least one transgene. For example, transgenes thatcan be used, include, but are not limited to, transgenes that conferresistance to herbicides, insect, disease (viral, bacterial, fingal,nematode) or drought resistance, standability, prolificacy, salt damageresistance, and quality are useful. Examples of such genes and methodsof transforming plants are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,545 toLundquist et al., herein incorporated by reference.

[0052] Having illustrated and described the principles of the disclosurein multiple embodiments and examples, it should be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the disclosure can be modified in arrangementand detail without departing from such principles. The invention,therefore, encompasses all modifications coming within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A tall fescue plant, comprising the morphological andphysiological properties of a grass plant grown from a seed depositedunder American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) No. PTA-3825.
 2. Sod,comprising the grass plant of claim
 1. 3. Hay, comprising the grassplant of claim
 1. 4. Turf, comprising the grass plant of claim
 1. 5. Anathletic field, comprising the grass plant of claim
 1. 6. The grassplant of claim 1 planted in a golf course fairway.
 7. The grass plant ofclaim 1 planted in a golf course rough.
 8. The grass plant of claim 1planted in a lawn.
 9. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in an athleticfield.
 10. The grass plant of claim 1 planted in a park.
 11. The grassplant of claim 1 planted in a pasture.
 12. Progeny of a grass plantaccording to claim
 1. 13. Seed of the grass plant of claim
 1. 14. A seedmixture, comprising the seed of claim
 13. 15. A vegetative sprig orclone of the grass plant of claim
 1. 16. The grass plant of claim 1,further comprising at least one transgene.
 17. Seed resulting fromcrossing the grass plant of claim 1 with a second grass plant.
 18. Agrass plant grown from the seed of claim
 17. 19. Sod, comprising thegrass plant of claim
 18. 20. Hay, comprising the grass plant of claim18.
 21. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a golf course fairway.22. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a golf course rough.
 23. Thegrass plant of claim 18 planted in a lawn.
 24. The grass plant of claim18 planted in an athletic field.
 25. The grass plant of claim 18 plantedin a park.
 26. The grass plant of claim 18 planted in a pasture.
 27. Amethod of producing grass seed, comprising planting the grass seed ofclaim 13 under conditions that result in the germination of the seed,growth of grass plants and setting of progeny seed; and harvesting theprogeny seed.
 28. Grass seed produced by the method of claim
 27. 29. Amixture of grass seed comprising the grass seed of claim
 28. 30. Amethod of producing a grass plant, the method comprising: crossing afirst grass plant with at least one other grass plant to produce atleast one seed, wherein the first grass plant is the grass of claim 1;harvesting the seed; and germinating the seed to produce at least oneprogeny grass plant.
 31. A grass plant produced by the method of claim30.
 32. Sod, comprising the grass plant of claim
 31. 33. Hay, comprisingthe grass plant of claim
 31. 34. The grass plant of claim 31 planted ina golf course fairway.
 35. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a golfcourse rough.
 36. The grass plant of claim 31 planted in a lawn.
 37. Thegrass plant of claim 31 planted in an athletic field.
 38. The grassplant of claim 31 planted in a park.
 39. The grass plant of claim 31planted in a pasture.
 40. A vegetative sprig or clone of the grass plantof claim
 31. 41. The grass plant of claim 31, further comprising atleast one transgene.
 42. Grass seed deposited as ATCC No: PTA-3825. 43.Turf, comprising a grass plant germinated from the seed of claim
 42. 44.An endophyte of the grass plant of claim
 1. 45. The endophyte of claim44, wherein the grass plant comprises about 55 ppb of ergovaline and<100 ppb of lolitrem B.
 46. An endophyte of the seed of claim
 13. 47.The endophyte of claim 46, wherein the seed comprises about 55 ppb ofergovaline and <100 ppb of lolitrem B.